District Judge R.K. Sandill is running for our state’s highest civil judicial office on a platform of moderation. We don’t usually hear that from judicial candidates, but most don’t run against an incumbent like John Devine.

Devine gained a reputation as an ideologue when he campaigned for district court with the promise to “put Christianity into government.” As a district judge, he cemented his reputation as a hard-right jurist when he fought to keep the Ten Commandments on display in his Houston courtroom. More recently, Devine wrote a bizarre dissent to a decision by his colleagues not to hear a case involving same-sex spousal benefits for city of Houston employees.

Divine wrote that government is justified in treating same-sex couples differently because “opposite-sex marriage is the only marital relationship where children are raised by their biological parents.” He completely ignored that the Supreme Court has held that the Constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the case of marriage.

Sandill was elected judge of the 127th Civil District Court in 2008. He says he is running for the Supreme Court to help make litigation cheaper and more efficient — two long-term, elusive goals.

Sandill, 42, has earned a reputation as a solidly qualified judge, though at times a bit blunt. He attributed any disgruntlement to his habit of reading all material in advance of a hearing, and then during oral argument asking the attorneys if “there’s anything you need to add that isn’t here.” His direct approach, he says, can “upset the apple cart.” The University of Houston Law Center graduate believes he is the highest ranking elected official in Texas of South Asian descent.

Voters should dump Devine and promote Sandill to an even higher office.

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